Homebirth Parent Supply List

What You Need for a Homebirth

This is a sample list used by some midwives for the things parents will need to gather for a homebirth.

• Pint of 91% alcohol (or 99% alcohol, grain alcohol, or 180 proof Golden Grain)
• Bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%)
• Cotton balls
• Plastic drop cloth or plastic sheet (an old shower curtain or large plastic table cloth works wonderfully)
• Plastic trash bags (AT LEAST 4 large) dark colored
• 2 fitted bed sheets to fit your bed
• 2 flat bed sheets to fit your bed (4 flat sheets is acceptable)
• 4 bath towels
• 4 wash cloths
• 8 receiving blankets
• Large mixing type bowl
• Small mixing type bowl (prefer bowls not be glass)
• Working flashlight and extra batteries
• Extra toilet paper (at least 2 6-roll packs)
• Several kinds of juice (at least one citrus and 1 non-citrus)
• One extra bag of ice
• Protein you like that is easy to fix (peanut butter, cheese, or eggs for example)
• Clothes for you for after the birth (gown and panties)
• Clothes for the baby (2 pair socks or booties, 2 onesies, 2 sleepers)
• Diapers for the baby
• Large cookie sheet
• Silver duct tape (preferably new roll)
• Thermometer (if digital, include probe covers)

Instructions for Preparation

Linens and clothes may be old or new. All should be freshly washed and dried in a hot dryer 10 extra minutes. Bag items in brown paper bags (NOT plastic bags), tape shut, and label clearly in large letters.

Bag in this combination:

1. Sheets
2. Towels and washcloths
3. Receiving blankets
4. Baby clothes
5. Mother’s clothes

Please have your birth kit and other supplies purchased, prepared and ready by 3 weeks before your due date. Have everything in one place in the room you plan to give birth.